Film washer

ABSTRACT

A film washer wherein film supporters are axially deposited in an elongated water tank, and wherein water is introduced through a bottom fill opening and deflected radially to attain a swirling washing action. An auxiliary water container is mounted alongside the water tank, and a siphon tube extends along the length of the auxiliary tank with an open end terminating near the enclosed end. A water port at the bottom communicates between the auxiliary and water tanks so that filled water creates a partial vacuum within the auxiliary tank and siphons water out the tube after the level rises above the open end of the siphon tube.

United States Patent Najarian July 22, 1975 [54] FILM WASHER 2,469,825 5/1949 Hornstein 95/97 [76] Inventor: George L. Najarian, 6991 Mulberry St. Hanover Park, L 60103 Primary ExammerJohn M. Horan [22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1973 57 ABSTRACT [2]] App]. No.: 422,177 A film washer wherein film supporters are axially deposited in an elongated water tank, and wherein water is introduced through a bottom fill opening and de [52] US. Cl. 354/324 flected radially to attain a Swirling washing action An 5 auxiliary water container is mounted alongside the water tank, and a siphon tube extends along the length of the auxiliary tank with an open end terminating [56] References Clted near the enclosed end. A water port at the bottom UNITED STATES PATENTS communicates between the auxiliary and water tanks 537,968 4/1895 Dorticus 95/97 50 that filled water creates a partial vacuum within the 715,908 12/1902 vanflfmm 95/97 auxiliary tank and siphons water out the tube after the 747241 12/1903 Schnelder 95/97 level rises above the open end of the siphon tube. 926,380 6/1909 Amon 95/97 974,336 11/1910 Alt 95/97 1 Claim, 7 Drawing Figures Ii Ill 11 h H I- ll :1 H II I SHEET PATENTED JUL 2 2 ms FIG. 5

FIG- 4 1 FILM'WASHER This invention relatesto" mm washe'r',"and particularly relates to an improved washin'gtank'in which films are deposited in a water tank into which water is deliv- FIG. Sis a section view, on an enlarged scale, taken alongline 5+5 of FIG; 2;

ered in an improved manneryand in which the'body of tank which is filled with water, and generally overfilled to effect a washing action. such overfilling takes the form of spilling the water through an outlet, a weir, or discharging such ,ov'e'rfilling water in other'ways. This is not an efficientwashing action because the contaminated washing water in the tank is simply diluted by additional supplies of water rather thanfbeing replaced.

Replacing bodies of washing water commonly involves manual manipulation of dumping theold "wash water and refilling the tank. f

7 Improved washing action can be attained only by vigorously filling and emptying the tank to 'agitate the water somewhat, or providing stirring action either manually or mechanically. This isawkward, space consuming and generally expensive to provide. It is highly desirable to introduce to the art of film processing an efficient water washing tank which delivers water in an improved way for better washing action, and which also allows periodic replacement of water, preferably by automatic means which do not require attention or manipulation by the processor. 2

It is therefore an objec't of the present invention to provide such an improved washing means for film processing which introduces water in an improved pattern and movement for improved washing, and which periodically replaces water introduced into the tank through automatic operation not requiring specialized attention or manipulation by a processor.

Another object of the present invention is to, provide such an improved washing tank which is economically constructed, is simple to operate and connect to water sources, and which is reliable in its operation for wash-' ing one or more film support spindles deposited axially in a water tank.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such animproved washing tank wherein the improved pattern of introduced water movement is effected by deflector means which are economically provided by molding in a plastic assembly, which advantageously has other plastic parts to form water tanks and containers, inlet and discharge tubes, and still other possible parts, all molded from plastic.

The above objects and advantages are now attained by the invention which is shown in the following disclo sure which includes drawings wherein: I

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the improved washing tank;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tank shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the tank shown in the view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along theline 4-4 of FIG. 1; I

FIG 6 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, with portions removed, showing the improved water deflector means located in the bottom of the washing tank;

*and Y FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.

The'washing tank includes a main water tank 6 which is of general cylindrical configuration having an open top 8 and a bottom 9.'The tank'6 has a diameter to accommodate asingle spindle support film holder, indicated inphantom at 10; and has a height'to preferably accommodate at least two axially deposited spindle film holders, as indicated in the view of FIG 1.

Immediately adjacent the water tank 6 is an auxillary or siphoning container 12 which is enclosed, having a rounded closed top 14 which adjoins the open top 8 of the water tank 6. A water port 13 is provided at the bottom in a wall of the tank 6, and such port 13 communicates the interiors of tank 6 and container 12. The

water tank and container are positioned'on a base portion 16 which preferably is an integrated molded part having a continuous skirt 17 and a recessed top' 18 which is lowered relative to the top of the skirt.

A continuous flanged edge 19 of container 12 contacts the main water tank, and such container has an inner concavity which allows flush engagement with the convexity of the water tank 6. The top '18 of the opening is positioned relative to water deflector means I to introduce water and direct such water radially relative to the longitudinal axis of the water tank, along the bottom thereof. Such water deflector means is shown" to include a baffle cover 24 having a flanged edge which is generallyof a U-shape, the open end whereof coincides with a bottom discharge 26. The water deflector means also includes a U-shaped ridge or wall 28, which is slightly undersized relative to baffel cover 241 The U-shaped ridge or wall is preferably molded in the recessed top 18 so that the underside of the ridge is a U-shaped recess as seen in the bottom plan view of FIG. 3.

The siphoning or auxiliary water container includes a siphon tube 32 which has an open top 33 that extends almost to the closed end 14 of the auxiliary container. The siphoning tube has a vertical branch positioned within the auxiliary container and a small portion of said vertical branch extends below the top 18 of the base portion as indicated. A horizontal branch 35 extends below the top wall 18 and terminates as a tube discharge 36. Tube discharge end 36 and inlet tube 21 extend through openings, not identified by numeral, in the skirt of the base portion.

In operation, the spindle film supports are deposited in the water tank and the flexible tubing is connected to a water tap or the like. Vigorous introduction of water introduces the water through the bottom fill opening and the path of such introduced water is deflected so that it swirls radially to enhance'washing acthe same time and at the same rate as the water tank is filled. When the water level in both the auxiliary tank I and water tank reaches a height which is above the open top 33 of the siphoning tube, a partial vacuum is created in the-siphoning or auxiliary container as a result of the displaced air. This results in a siphoning action which causes the body of water in the auxiliary and water tank to be removed through the discharge end 36 of the siphoning tube by siphoning action. Such discharge continues until the water level is lowered to about the top of the port 13, whereupon the partial vacuum is broken and discharge is terminated. The continuously open tap then fills the water and auxiliary tanks again to repeat the cycle for automatically washing without requiring attention or manipulation by the processoronce the water tank is positioned and connected.

The auxiliary or siphoning tank has been shown mounted to the outside of the main water tank, but it may be mounted on the inside. The respective tanks may also have configurations other than cylindrical, that is, elliptical, polyhedral or still others. The film may be rolled on spindles as described, or film sheets may be used suspended from support means such as hangers. Film sheets may even be washed in a cylindrical water tank by slightly curving the sheet in supporting hangers.

The claims of the invention are now presented and such terms may be better understood by reference to an auxiliary water container mounted alongside and to the open top water tank, the wall of said water tank also being a wall for said water container, said auxiliary water container having a closed top adjoiningthe open top of the tank, a bottom water port communicating the interior of the tank and container,

a base member supporting said water tank and container, said base member having a continuous skirt extending from the bottoms of the water tank and container,

an angular siphon tube, a vertical branch positioned a baffle member water deflector inside the tank positioned over said bottom fill opening, said baffle member having a U-shaped raised wall bordering the bottom fill opening and a cover extending over the top of the wall, the open end of the U-shaped wall serving as a water discharge to direct entering water radially relative to the vertical axis of the tank and along the bottom of the tank to effect agitation of the water whereby the filled tank empties when the water level raises above the top of the siphon tube in the auxiliary water container through siphon action. 

1. A washing tank for film on supports which includes, in combination, an open top water tank member having a size to accommodate a film support means for said film, an auxiliary water container mounted alongside and to the open top water tank, the wall of said water tank also being a wall for said water container, said auxiliary water container having a closed top adjoining the open top of the tank, a bottom water port communicating the interior of the tank and container, a base member supporting said water tank and container, said base member having a continuous skirt extending from the bottoms of the water tank and container, an angular siphon tube, a vertical branch positioned within the auxiliary container, said vertical branch having an open end positioned immediately below the closed top of the auxiliary water container and said vertical branch extending through the bottom of the water container, a horizontal branch of the siphon tube extending through said base member below the water container and the water tank, and said horizontal branch extending through the skirt and having a discharge end outside said skirt, a bottom fill opening in the water tank, water fill means extending through said skirt for mounting to a water tube to convey water to said bottom fill opening, and a baffle member water deflector inside the tank positioned over said bottom fill opening, said baffle member having a U-shaped raised wall bordering the bottom fill opening and a cover extending over the top of the wall, the open end of the Ushaped wall serving as a water discharge to direct entering water radially relative to the vertical axis of the tank and along the bottom of the tank to effect agitation of the water whereby the filled tank empties when the water level raises above the top of the siphon tube in the auxiliary water container through siphon action. 